1st seminar on ‘Critical Urban Theory in Practice’ took place in Mumbai

The first module of the PhD course, “Critical Urban Theory: Citizenship, Marginalities, Livelihood Struggles and Innovations in Practice” took place in Mumbai, India from 4 to 8 of January.
Report by Dr. Maryam Nastar, LUCSUS

The joint Phd Course is organized by Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and its Centre for Livelihoods and Social Innovation (CLSI).

During the first module of the course, TISS (CLSI) hosted around 15 students from India and Sweden together with LUCSUS faculty. Over a week of lectures and heated seminar discussions, students discussed how critical urban theory on issues surrounding redevelopment of slums can potentially contribute to bringing housing and other urban spaces under democratic control.

The public lecture by Medha Patkar, the Right Livelihood Laurate. Photo by Prof. Eric Clark, LUCSUS

As a part of the course, the Right Livelihood Laureate, Medha Patkar held a public lecture in TISS. Participants listened to her inspiring and powerful voice and her extensive experience of mobilizing community and slum dwellers to access to shelter and basic services. Known as an influential icon for the struggles in India and beyond, Medha Patkar talked about various social and political actions led by her to oppose to slum rehabilitation projects that are poorly communicated to the residents of affected areas, and thus, have been instruments for evicting people with no alternative houses or right to land.

Organized by TISS modular course students and faculty and inspired by Medha Patkar’s public lecture, the participants visited her grass-roots initiatives and slum improvement projects in Mumbai, over a day of fieldtrip to East Vikhroli.

Informed by the course materials and insights gained from the field visit, the participants explored and discussed driving forces behind displacement as well as activities that can support the community struggle against constant fear of eviction and homelessness. This was performed during last day of the course and in the format of student group presentations.
The course was rounded off with the LUCSUS faculty’s panel discussion wherein teachers presented some of their ongoing research, and together with PhD and Master’s students, they discussed objectives and rationale of grass-root initiatives and social movements.

Collective photo on last day of the course. LUCSUS and TISS faculty together with some of students. Photo by Dr. Maryam Nastar, LUCSUS

The second module of the course will be held in Lund, Sweden from 4 to 8 of April, 2016.

LUCUS invites all the eligible PhD candidates to register for the second module by 15 February. More information about the course content can be found here: